The Modern Solution

The days of just needing one photo to adorn your biz card or bio are gone.  Sure, you will need those head and shoulder only shots for linked in and Facebook profile pics, and a shot for your digital business contact card.  You may even still be printing a business card with your photo, but those classic shots will be included in your branding portrait session, and you can always crop to head and shoulders for those cases anyway.  But traditional headshots limit the potential to communicate a full picture of your personality.  A traditional headshot gets the ball rolling, but it’s just the door that leads to the opportunity to truly connect with your audience…

Branding Portraits Capture a More Authentic You

A true branding session should include the opportunity for you to connect with your photographer in a way that helps them learn who you are, and what messages you need to communicate to attract your ideal client or alliance.  A half hour session with a photographer you’ve never met with or  have even had an in depth planning call with, is unlikely to establish that knowledge base or rapport.  A branding session starts with that foundation. 

Tell Your Story with Diversity in Posing

A portrait, as opposed to a true headshot, will feature more of you in the photo. This allows your body language tells a story.  Your photographer can employ different seating or standing poses, include hands in the photo (not usually included in classic headshots), and a range of body, shoulder, and head angles and facial expressions, which will not only tell a better story in a single image, but it also allows for variety across the body of images from the session, allowing a story to develop over a series of images. 

Build Trust with your Audience through Frequency

A branding session also allows you to create more looks with props, sets, and multiple wardrobe changes.  When paired with diversity in posing you’ll be able to drip out your story in increments.  This gives you more frequency in audience contact which breeds familiarity, and by extension, trust. 

A Better Value

Many people choose to book a quick head shot session thinking they will save money.  However, because most people need more than just two or three images, this isn't always the best option.  Since a branding portrait session is a full session, you’ll have the chance to let your true self shine.  You'll get a full range of business portraits to choose from and many of the images can have multiple uses for your personal enjoyment, as well.  Take this opportunity to celebrate your accomplishments -   Celebrate YOU!  Get a few portraits in evening attire, or show your sporty side in athletic wear.  Since branding photos are meant to tell the story of you and help your audience connect with the person behind the brand, adding these more personal shots are perfect for that.  Bring your loved ones for some family shots.  Include photos with your pets or while engaging in your favorite sport, hobby or community service activity.  Is your car a big part of your lifestyle?  Get some photos in and with your car!  In short, including personal portraits in your branding session is a two-fer.  Not only are you consolidating sessions that you would probably purchase some time during the year anyway, combining them and using them for your business portraits saves you money, and may be tax deductible!  (I’m not a tax professional.  Consult your CPA for how to claim your branding session as a marketing expense.)

I’m sure you can see why a Branding Session may make more sense in many cases than a quick headshot session.  At KAREN LAINE PHOTOGRAPHY, even our Express Headshot Sessions include some of the elements of a branding session, but if you want the full range of service and flexibility mentioned in this article, our Custom Branding Sessions are the best option for most people.  Many of our clients alternate the two types of sessions to keep their images fresh and up to date while maintaining plenty of maternial to keep their audiences engaged.  To get more information on how you can book our greater Dallas / Fort Worth / North Texas personal and business branding portrait sessions, headshot sessions, click the button below.

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